4 September 2025

From Taylor Haley, Principal

Dear Parent and Caregivers

As we head into the final weeks of Term 3, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many achievements and highlights across our school community. From classrooms to co-curricular activities, it has been inspiring to see our students engaging with enthusiasm, striving for personal bests, and supporting one another along the way.

This week also serves as a reminder of the importance of balance – while we celebrate successes and prepare for upcoming events, we continue to focus on wellbeing and ensuring that both students, staff and our community are supported as the term draws to a close.

I thank you for your ongoing partnership and encouragement. Together, we create the strong foundations that allow our young people to thrive.

Outstanding Efforts at State Athletics

We are incredibly proud of our three Year 6 students who recently represented both our school and the Southcoast region at the State Athletics Championships.

Competing against the very best athletes from across Queensland, each of them demonstrated determination, resilience, and a wonderful sense of sportsmanship.

• Jaxon Curran put in a fantastic effort in the 1500m race, finishing 8th in the state, a huge achievement in such a demanding event.
• Jackson Potts had a very busy program across both track and field, achieving 8th in discus, 6th in long jump, 9th in shot put, 5th in high jump, and 5th in the 200m sprint.
• Brayden Potts also excelled across multiple events, placing 9th in long jump, 6th in high jump, 5th in discus, and an impressive 4th in shot put.

Congratulations to Jaxon, Jackson, and Brayden on their outstanding performances and for representing our school with pride. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work and commitment, and they should be very proud of themselves.

My New Gallery

Friday 5^th September is a Pupil Free Day

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

This week we celebrate our incredible Teacher Aides who play such an important role in the life of our school. Their dedication, care, and support make a real difference in the learning and wellbeing of our students each and every day.

From guiding small group work and offering one-on-one assistance, to preparing resources and providing encouragement, our Teacher Aides go above and beyond to help every child thrive.

We thank them for their commitment, patience, and the joy they bring to our classrooms. Please join us in acknowledging and celebrating our amazing Teacher Aides this week!

Queensland Child Protection Week

Queensland Child Protection Week (7-13 September 2025) reminds us that child protection is everyone's business and all adults need to play a part in ensuring children are safe and nurtured so they can reach their full potential.

Visit the Queensland Education website for the department’s child and student protection policy and procedure.  

Are you staying with us for 2026?

As we move through Term 3 and look towards Term 4, our administration team will be busy beginning our planning cycle for 2026. So, this is the time that we ask, have you enrolled all of your children for 2026? Do you have a Prep student starting? Do you have friends that should be enrolling their child into Prep?

Plus, the big question, will you still be with us in 2026? If at any point during Term 4 you know you will be exiting Surfers Paradise State School, please let the office know so that as we begin drafting class structures, we are aware of our ins and outs to make the most accurate predictions possible.

Class Placements – 2026

It is around this time each year when parents, students and staff begin thinking about classes for the following year. I’m sure you will understand that the final decisions regarding class placements must remain the responsibility of the school and we go to great lengths to achieve the best combinations of classes each year. Class teachers, in consultation with specialist teaching staff, will already have begun gathering important information from every student regarding friendships, positive learning relationships and combinations of students that negatively affect learning, all of which will be used to guide their class combinations for next year. We are also still in the process of establishing our teaching teams for next year.

By the beginning of November, we will start to prepare our classes for 2026. This process is very carefully undertaken by our teachers and takes considerable time. In preparation for this process, I like to give parents the opportunity to advise in writing (addressed to the Principal: principal@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au ) of any personal circumstances for their child that we should be aware of and consider when preparing classes. This may include friendship groups or family situations. Parents also have the opportunity to describe the personality of the teacher who would be best for their child. This does not include the name of the teacher. If the teacher is listed, the letter will not be considered. I ask that all correspondence be received by the end of week 5 (November 7^th). All correspondence will be considered but not guaranteed.

We cannot guarantee that any requests for classes will be fulfilled. This is just not possible in what is an extremely complex and challenging process that seeks to balance gender, academic, social and emotional needs. It is an extremely difficult balancing act where a single change can cause a significant flow on effect.

Free Football Sessions with Surfers Paradise Apollo FC

Surfers Paradise Apollo FC is excited to partner with Surfers Paradise State School to offer two free after-school soccer sessions for students. These will be delivered by the club’s licensed coaches at theirs facilities.

To help us prepare quality sessions, please register using the link below:

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScirD1876XquoOitlpzGnrmL4Jq8L23JReGvypFaB-RkYEGMQ/viewform?usp=dialog

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to enjoy soccer in a fun and supportive environment.

Before and After School Collection Processes

A reminder to all parents and caregivers that we have designated areas for student supervision before and after school. Our playgrounds and oval are not to be used as waiting areas during these times.

Before school: Students are expected to move straight to their designated area. This ensures they are supervised and allows staff and students to prepare for a successful day of learning.

After school: If your child is not collected directly from the classroom, collection should occur at one of our two main gates. Any students who have not been collected by 3:15pm will be taken to the school office, where they can wait safely under supervision.

We thank you for your support in keeping our students safe and ensuring smooth transitions at the beginning and end of each school day.

Regards, Taylor Haley, Principal

Calendar 2025 Term 3

Calendar 2025 Term 3

This calendar is for reference only and is subject to change. Please check with your child’s class newsletter for any changes to times and dates. If you are unsure, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office during business hours.

Student Council Fundraiser - Gold Coin Donation - Last day of term 3

Our students are invited to wear free dress in their favourite football team colours on Friday 19 September 2025.

Student council members will collect gold coin donations in classrooms however there is also a website for online donations.

https://www.footycoloursday.com.au/fundraisers/SurfersParadiseSS

Your support is always appreciated!  We aim to raise $500.

Absent Students and SMS Text

When a student is absent at our morning roll marking in class, we send a text message to advise parents/carers of the absence. 

We ask that parents please always respond and reply directly to the message with an explanation for the absence and duration of the absence.

If you know that your child is or should be at school, please immediately telephone our school office on 55820333 so that we can investigate. 

Should your child arrive late to school, please ensure they visit our school office before going to class to process a ‘late arrival’ in the roll marking system.  If they do not collect a late slip, they are marked absent.

The following methods can be used to report an absence:

• A note prepared by parent/carer provided to the teacher or the office
• Telephoning the student absence line on 07 55820 360 and recording a message
• Texting the mobile number student absence number 0429 078 565 and advising details
• Emailing studentabsences@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au
• QParents app – attendance – notify an absence

P&C Meeting

The monthly P&C meeting will be held next week on Tuesday 9/9/2025 from 2pm in our library.

Email  pandc@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au

From our Psychologist

Growing Emotional Strength: Everyday Moments Build Resilience

Resilience isn’t about “bouncing back” perfectly or never feeling upset. It’s about learning how to get through hard things with support—and coming out a little stronger each time. For children, resilience grows through everyday experiences: problem-solving, asking for help, and knowing someone is in their corner.

Emotional resilience helps children manage stress, build friendships, take risks in learning, and recover from setbacks. And the good news? It doesn’t come from doing big, extraordinary things. It comes from small moments of connection, safety, and encouragement—again and again.

Research by Masten and Barnes (2018) shows that resilience is not a fixed skill. It’s shaped by a child’s environment and relationships. When children feel emotionally safe and connected to supportive adults, they’re more likely to take healthy risks, face challenges, and believe in their own ability to cope.

Try this at home:

• Celebrate effort, not just outcomes: “You worked so hard on that even when it was tricky.”
• Remind them of past success: “Remember when you didn’t think you could do that—and then you did?”
• Support healthy risks: “It’s okay to try and not get it right the first time. That’s how we learn.”
• Use stories to highlight resilience: Talk about family members, books, or characters who kept going through tough times.

Connection tip:
Let your child know: “You don’t have to get it perfect. I’ll be here while you figure it out.” That message builds real confidence—not the kind that comes from praise, but from feeling safe and supported.

Reflect: Think of a time your child overcame something hard.
What did you say or do that seemed to make a difference?

Regards, Georgia Blackwell, Psychologist

National Child Protection Week

The Commissioner for eSafety has released a new resource to help parents navigate online safety with their children. This resource will help you discuss online safety with your child.

Also attached is their Term 4 Webinars for parents calendar.

Year 2 Historial Museum Excursion

Assembly timetable

Junior Strings

A huge Congratulations to all our Junior Strings Students for their wonderful results this year!

Hard work really does pay off, and I’m so proud of everyone who took part at Eisteddfod last week – well done!

There will be no Ensembles or Lessons for the next two weeks as I’ll be on leave.

Wishing you all a safe, happy holiday – you deserve it!

Warmly, Miss Hampson, Instrumental/STRINGS

Book Club #6 is open!

Book Club issue 6 orders close Monday 8 September 2025.

Uniform Shop – Price Rise

Commencing 6 October 2025 the Uniform Shop will implement a price increase across most of the items. The previous major increase occurred in Dec 2019 with very few changes since then.

The Uniform Shop absorbs rising costs from our suppliers for as long as possible before the increases are passed on.

The P & C committee is very aware of the difficulty with families' outgoings and endeavour to keep costs to a minimum.

Tuckshop – Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers in our tuckshop from 9am to 11.45am.

Please email admin@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au or contact our office if you are able to assist.  It's fun and rewarding and your kids will love seeing you behind the counter! 

Bottle Caps and Lids Collection

Outside School Hours Care

SchoolWatch

Community News

The school is happy to advertise some local events and business ventures. However, we do not necessarily endorse them to you. It is the responsibility of individual parents/caregivers to ensure that they themselves are satisfied with all services offered before they involve their children.